With four episodes remaining, my hope was that Person of Interest would focus primarily on Samaritan rather than delivering procedural-type episodes. Luckily, despite the episode focussing around a number-of-the-week, it was abundantly clear from the very beginning that Sulaiman Khan’s life was being ruined by Samaritan, and it made for a very good instalment of POI.
Something that I commented on earlier in the season was that when the show wanted to hide the fact that a number was connected to Samaritan, it didn’t do it very well and as a result it was predictable and a lot of the story to that point was quite bland. ‘Search and Destroy’ smartly went in the opposite direction and made it clear to us early on that Samaritan was behind everything - though it took a little longer for Finch to work it out, Emerson showed little expression of surprise nor did the accompanying music suggest it. As a result of this, a lot more time was spent on trying to figure out exactly what Samaritan wanted while simultaneously attempting to save Khan. I felt that this worked in the episode’s favour as it allowed the show to tap back into the serialised story much more than has been the case of late, and with it being so late in the season, things really needed that jolt to push forward.
While it was fun watching Aasif Mandvi throughout, Khan was the architect of his own death through his inability to stop asking questions, something that had also worn thin on me by the end of the episode. It’s understandable, granted, that someone with his technological expertise would want to know how exactly he was bested, but as the old saying goes: ‘Curiosity killed the cat’. As much as his persistent questions frustrated me, it’s somewhat of a shame to see Khan die since he could have become an asset for the team, but his death scene was pretty cool, so I’m fine with it.
Unsurprisingly, what interested me most was Samaritan’s interest in Khan. The episode alluded to Samaritan’s “search” part-way through and it was reasonably predictable as to what it was doing, but it was terrifying to see it confirmed. Using Khan’s anti-virus software that was installed in every network device (well, 86% of network devices) to scan for the Machine’s unique code instead of viruses was a great concept. Samaritan was once again shown to be the evil, omniscient AI that the team perceive it to be, as opposed to just scratching at the surface as has been the case in recent episodes. It managed to figure out not only that the Machine’s code was unlike that of any other device or software anywhere in the world, but that it had to search for it under the radar to prevent detection. Samaritan seems to be improving itself at every turn and I feel that it’s only a matter of time before it discovers the location of the Machine.
Once again, Person of Interest found a way to subtly weave in an issue of morality through Finch’s refusal to use a gun. Even in the face of danger to his own life, he won’t accept taking a firearm. I commend Finch’s unwavering dedication to his morals, and it shouldn’t come as too much of a shock given that he was willing to die in the previous episode to save an innocent woman. It’s interesting to compare that to the flashbacks from ‘Karma’ where he was set to kill Alicia Corwin to get revenge for Nathan’s death. I think the moment at which he chose not to press that button was the moment that he realised that his morals are everything to him, and since then he has tried (and will continue to try) his hardest to avoid breaking those morals. We saw it back in ‘Death Benefit’ last year, and we saw it again here.
Root had another side mission this week and it was nice to actually see her complete it. Her opening scene in the restaurant with the gas was just superb (featuring a fantastic variation of her theme) while for the majority of the episode, I was left scratching my head over what could be in Odds and ends:
- The Root/Martine fight sequence was pretty good, though I felt it was lacking slightly in choreography compared to some of the other fistfights we’ve seen on the show. Regardless, Reese really should have let Root kill her.
- Speaking of Martine, she was much better as a blond.
- The code for the case had to be 314, did it not? The show does seem to like Pi…
- When Root was defending herself with the case, why did the shooter not aim for the rest of her body, which had no protection? Reese would’ve just kneecapped her. I’m glad the shooter wasn’t Reese.
- Zoe’s appearance felt a little forced as if her only real purpose was to tell John not to get close to Iris for her sake (also - Zoe is spying on Reese). Still, it gets Paige Turco back on my screen and allowed for a fun exchange between her and Reese earlier on, so I won’t complain.
- “Think of it as a machine. You like machines, right Finch?”
What did you think of the episode? Let me know in the comments below and check out the promo for next week’s ‘Terra Incognita’ below too.
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Awesome episode.
ReplyDeleteGreat episode, great review! Very excited for next week.
ReplyDeleteIf Reese would have been the shooter, Root would have just held the case in front of her knees and scooted right on out.
ReplyDeleteImposter!!
ReplyDeleteThe Machine in the space
ReplyDeleteIt would be just like Samaritan to send an imposter out. Stay safe John Reese.
ReplyDeleteI don't think Khan could have become an asset to the team. His unrelenting quest for the truth would not have allowed him to become
ReplyDeletean asset. Given Team Machine's penchant for non-disclosure, he probably would go underground and rogue.
Not to mention that his character is paranoid and would ask too many questions. Questions that get people killed. He would not have lasted long enough even if he did want to join Team Machine for some reason.
Though there was huge foreshadowing by John this episode, the show will probably turn it around and it will be Harold who ends up biting the bullet for his inability to protect his close friends.
'Given Team Machine's penchant for non-disclosure'
ReplyDeleteActually, it's just Finch's penchant for non-disclosure. Root's more than open to reading people in. Remember how Casey, Daizo, and Greenfield had yellow squares in A House Divided? Not to mention that her work with Caleb could also lead to him getting more active with the proceedings.
Everything runs through Finch. Root and Reese certainly don't care as much about privacy but for something important such as reading people in, they definitely do not go off script and randomly tell people themselves. They make sure to check with Finch first.
ReplyDeleteI doubt that was the case with her braintrust. Finch probably had no idea what she's doing back then. But seriously, the guy needs to get his shit together, if they are to get through this.
ReplyDeleteI'm getting more frustrated with Finch's refusal to use a gun. He doesn't have to go around and shoot people like the rest of the team does but he could at least help the team in a battle. It's not only about him. While Root and Reese fought against a bunch of Samaritan agents he was hiding behind a car. It's not only him who could die because of his reluctance to use a gun.
ReplyDeleteIt was in-character the whole time and Mandvi was fantastic, but it just became slightly annoying to me by the episode's end.
ReplyDeleteYes, you're right, I don't think he would have fit well into the team. But I thought that maybe his knowledge would help a little. We'll never know now, though.
ReplyDeleteI really hope not. I don't want to lose either of them. Though that would be a good way to go out.
As I mentioned, it's understandable to me why folks would be turned off a bit by that :)
ReplyDeleteSpot on. For his high morals he is riskings not just his life, but the life of those close to him, how many time Reese has to take a bullet for him before he dies?
ReplyDeleteI think the briefcase will become a vital transport vehicle in upcoming episodes, hence the reason for its indestructibility. It will house the critical lifeblood of some variation of the machine and its unique code. With Caleb's algorithm perhaps.
ReplyDeleteThis episode brought up (or made clearer) the problem with the scond half of this season, namely that it isn't decided which goal has the priority? To save the weekly PoIs, to defend the Machine (and themselves) or to strike back against the Samaritan? These things would often require different methods and the priority list would define which sacrifices worth and and which don't.
ReplyDeleteWithout this the stories sometimes seem forced and some plot points weak, like when Reese saved Martine's life.
I feel like Reese, Finch, Root & Fusco need another team member, since not sure when/if Shaw will return. Zoe could help but she doesn't have gun/self-defense training (I know, Finch doesn't either, and he seems determined not to learn to defend himself). They need someone else on their team. Even someone else with Finch behind the scenes. Yes, Khan would have been great on their team (more of the brains, like Finch). So would Harper. I feel something is lacking. I like how Zoe returned, even though it did feel like she was forced in there. I would like Reese to date her instead of Iris. Zoe would be more discreet like Reese; they have more in common, plus they're around the same age.
ReplyDeleteWhen are you going to review the remaining episodes?
ReplyDeleteHopefully in the next week or so. Sorry it's been so long.
ReplyDeleteno worries.. i hope you like them...
ReplyDelete